Humidifying closure for a can



Jan. 7, 1958 w. J. SHAPIRO HUMIDIFYING CLOSURE FOR A CAN Filed NOV. 8, 1954 IN V EN TOR. VV/LL M44 :1 SHAP/RO ATTORNEY HUMIDIFYING CLOSURE FOR A CAN William J. Shapiro, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application November 8, 1954, Serial No. 467,379

8 Claims. (Cl. 312-311) The invention relates to a closure for a can or container such as a tobacco can in which a cover has a large sized hole therethrough in which a humidifier member or element is retained for closing the opening and for maintaining the tobacco in the can moist. The invention relates also to the humidifying member with a penetratable layer thereover. A moisture-proof layer or membrane in which a hole is easily scratched to penetrate the layer permits the humidifier member to be charged with water without removing the cover from the can. The humidifier element is retained in the opening in the can so that when the can is empty of tobacco the humidifier element may be removed after which the can will serve as an ash receiver. In other aspects of the invention, the cover or the humidifier member provides a measuring reservoir so that the proper amount or" water may be fed to the humidifier member so that it becomes moist but not so wet that water flows through to drip on the tobacco.

It is an object of the invention to construct a closure for a tobacco can with a humidifier element retained in the cover such that when the can is empty of tobacco the humidifier element is easily removed and the can thereafter may serve as an ash receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to construct a cover for a tobacco can having a humidifier element which may be moistened from the exterior of the can and yet is moisture proof or impenetratable so long as desired.

A further object is to construct a humidifier element having a moisture impervious layer of penetratable material thereover.

A still further object is to provide a humidifier cover which provides a reservoir for a measured amount of Water to be used for moistening the humidifier member or element with the proper amount of water so that it does not become overly moist.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure for a tobacco can having the combined objects as recited above.

Another object of the invention is to construct a closure for a tobacco can having a humidifier element retained in the closure which may be moistened without removing the cover from the can and which seals the humidifier member or element until such time as the purchaser wishes such as when the can is opened for use of the tobacco therein.

Another object is to provide an inexpensive humidifier cover for a tobacco can.

Other objects of the invention- Will be more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a simple form of a closure;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through a closure having a funnel shape for adapting the closure more suitably for an ash can;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through a closure hav- 2,819,135 Patented Jan. 7, 1958 ing a reservoir of fixed capacity provided within the humidifier member or element;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through a closure having a humidifier member of substantially greater size than the opening through the closure and having reservoirs providing two diiterent measured quantities of water;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through a closure for a tobacco can in which the sealing element is spaced above the humidifier member; and

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through a closure in which a reservoir is provided in the humidifier member and a moisture impervious layer closes the reservoir and seals the humidifier member.

Humidifiers for tobacco cans are old but in most cases they require the removal of the closure or cover from the can and inverting of the same in order to provide access to the humidifier element to moisten the same. Also the cover to be described may be and preferably is the cover of a standard can in which tobacco is sold such that this can may serve as a humidifier container and yet is sealed against the escape of moisture until such time as the purchaser wishes to break the seal. It is desirable also that a measured quantity of water be fed to the humidifier element in order that an excess amount be not supplied thereto which may overmoisten it so that the excess flows through and drips onto the tobacco.

The closure includes the usual shape of cover 10 having a rim of any suitable kind for receiving the top of the can to close the open top, the rim illustrated being a flange 11 which is forced into the open top of a can 17 in order to form a tight seal therefor. The closure has an opening 12 therethrough of substantial size and it may include a downwardly extending recess having an. inturned flange 13 at the bottom. A humidifier member or element 14 is received in the opening and is retained therein by the recess and flange 13. In order to prevent evaporation of moisture from the tobacco through the humidifier element while it is in storage or on store shelves, a thin film, membrane or layer of moisture-proof material 15 is provided at least on the exposed outer surface of the humidifier member which moisture seals the humidifier member and the opening. It may, if desired, extend beyond the edges thereof. This moisture-proof layer or film may be of any suitable material which is thin or soft enough so that it can be easily penetrated by scratching it with a knife, pin or other suitable instrument. Numerous materials will serve such as a layer of wax or similar material, paper or fabric which has been waxed, painted, varnished and the like.

When a can of tobacco is brought from the tobacconist, a sharp instrument is used to scratch one or more small openings such as 16 through the moistureproof layer 15. Water may then be poured on the cover, the upwardly extending rim 11 retaining the water thereon. The water will seep through the opening 16 and saturate the humidifier member 14 therewith. The water may be applied at any time to maintain the humidifier member moist. The small hole or holes through the moisture-proof layer is too small to allow any or very little evaporation of water from the humidifier member.

After the can is empty of tobacco, the humidifier member 14 may be easily pushed out of the opening thereby leaving a large sized opening through the cover so that ashes from a pipe, cigar or cigarette may be passed therethrough. A can so enclosed quickly snubs any glowing embers. The can therefore serves not only as a humidifier but as an ash container as well.

The construction of closure of Figure 2 is essentially similar to that of Figure 1 with the exception that the cover is depressed or funnel shaped 18 so that ashes are funneled to the opening thereby more readily adapting the sameas-a-covertoran ash container after the tobacco can is empty. I11 addition the funnel shape may have an identation, shown particularly as a circular groove or depression 19 which marks-a reservoir of predetermined volume above the humidifier element so .that a measured amount *of' water W, when filled to the level thereof, is placed above thehumi'difier'member sufficient to saturate the latter but 'not unduly Wet the same sothat the water will flow *throug'hand dripon the tobacco in the can.

In Figure 3 the 'cover1'22'h'as a simple hole 23 therethrough in which is received a humidifier member 24. The hole is Without recess or flange and the humidifier member is retained in the simple opening by a flange-25 carried *by the humidifier member. 'It 'is clear, therefore, that it is 'inrmaterialwhethe'r or not a retaining flange is carried by the cover or the humidifier member for retaining the latter in the 'openingin the cover, to close the same. Thehum'idifier memberjhas a cavity or well forming a reservoir '26 which is open from the top of the cover. A moistureimpervious layer or coating 27 lines the outer exposed surfaces thereofinc'luding the reservoir wall or walls and bottom, the top surface of the humidifier member and the side surfaces of the flange. This moisture seals the opening inithe cover and the humidifier member so that the tobacco will not dry out in the can when=storednor when on the shop shelf. The reservoir 26 is of predetermined capacity so that when it .is full it provides sufficient moisture to saturate the humidifier member without causing drip within the can. When .it is desired to use the tobacco and to moisten the humidifier member, a hole or holes 16 are scratched through the bottom alone or in the bottom and side walls of the moisture-impervious layer.

Another'modification of construction is illustrated in Figure '4 in which the rim of the cover is a flange 11, shown as a reverse flange in that 'it is directed down- Wardly. The large opening 3'0 in the cover 31 is threaded so that a humidifier member or element 32 having cooperating threads 33 may be threaded thereinto to secure the member within the opening. In this construction a humidifier member of substantially larger dimension than the opening may be provided. The humidifier member may have a well or reservoir 34 therein which measures a desired quantity of water when full which is the capacity of'the humidifier member to absorb moisture without drip.

A moisture-impervious layer 35 covers the Wall or walls and bottom of the well or cavity as well as the exposed top surface of the humidifier member. By scratching a hole 16 through the moisture-impervious layer, the water will flow or seep into the humidifier member. The top surface of the humidifier member may be below the top surface of the cover 31, as illustrated, so that a well or reservoir of two predetermined capacities is provided. When the can of tobacco is first opened the humidifier member is or may be completely dry and hence will absorb more water without drip than at a subsequent period when the humidifier member may be partially moist. The reservoir therefore provides two measured quantities of water for the humidifier member when it is first opened or when it has gone for long periods without moisture so that it is essentially completely dry. For periodic rewetting the reservoir 34 in the humidifier element will provide sufficient Water to moisten the humidifier member without unduly wetting it so that Water will drip therethrough whereas for a larger measured quantity of water, it may be filled to theupper level of the cover.

The cover of Figure difiers from that of Figure l in that the recess is deeper so that when the humidifier member 14 is placed therein there is a space between the top of the humidifier member and the surface of the cover .19. The impervious layer or membrane 33 i over the recess on the surface of the cover so that it is above the top surface of'th'e' humidifier member 14 leavinga reservoir space between it and the impervious layer. When'it is desiredtoop'en the can of tobacco and moisten the humidifier member a hole or holes 16 are scratch-ed through the layer and water is poured into the top of the cover. The water seeps through the hole 16 and fills the reservoir 39. After due time when it is full the excess is poured out of the cover and that within the reservoir remaining therein until it is soaked up In the humidifier member.

In Figure 6 a humidifier member 43 .1s shownhavmg preferably reservoir or well 44 therein which 1s open at the top. A flange -:45 carried -by the humidifier member engages .a retaining flange 46 recessed from the surface of the cover 47 to retain the humidifier member 1n- 'the large sized opening .12of the cover. The same impervious layer or membrane 38 of Figure 5 extends over the top surface of the humidifier member and may extend over at least a portion of the face of the cover Q7. The impervious layer closes the top of the reservoir or we ll so that when it is desired to open the can and humidlfy the tobacco therein, a hole or holes 16 are scratched or punched through the membrane and water is poured into the cover so that it seeps through the hole 16 into the well in the humidifier member and soaks into the body thereof.

The impervious membrane or layer in the various modifications illustrated is either on the top surface of the humidifier member such as in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 with the side wall or walls and bottom surfaces of the reservoir or well being covered .as in Figures 3 and 4. The impervious layer or membrane may be spaced above the humidifier member as in Figure 5 or partially above and partially in contact therewith as illustrated in Figure 6. This layer or membrane is therefore over the surface of the humidifier member Whether it is in contact therewith or spaced thereabove and the phrase over the humidifier member is intended to mean any and all of these constructions. With this penetratable layer ormembrane, the humidifier element can be wetted from the top without removing the cover from the can. The scratched hole through the layeris made small enough so that water seeps through 'but'does not open the top, surface for any or any material escape of moisture from the humidifier member.

Penetration of the impervious layer may be secured by punching or scratching through the layer as previously described. However, penetration may be secured by having a hole 16 therethrough which is covered by a spot or flap 48 which is removed or folded back to open the hole as shown in Figure 6. If desired the spot or flap may be replaced over the hole when the moisture has been absorbed. Inall constructions an inexpensive moisture seal is provided. Likewise the small opening may be originally provided and not covered although complete closing is preferable. Also in all constructions the impervious layer may be completely removed and when the humidifier element has absorbed its water, the layer may be replaced. Such layer would have the strength to be peeled or pulled off and replaced.

In all of the constructions illustrated, mounting means are provided to removably mount or retain the humidifier member in the opening of the cover so that it is easily removable therefrom. This mounting means may be of any suitable form such as a flange carried by one of the parts including the cover and the humidifier member. In the constructions of Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 the humidifier member is pressed upwardly to remove the same from the recess so that it no longer covers the opening so the can may serve as an ash receptacle. The opening through the cover is of substantial size, that is, large enough to easily and conveniently pass ashes from a pipe. In the construction of Figure 4 the humidifier member is unscrewed from the opening thereby leaving the opening open so that the can may serve as an ash receptacle when it is empty. With the opening in the cover and without the humidifier member inplace, the tobaccocanf may serve as an ash receptacle and because it is partially enclosed by the cover any embers projected into the can are extinguished quickly. A tobacco can in which the tobacco has been completely used up and is empty serves as an excellent and large capacity ash container. Any of the covers may have a conical shaped depression so that ashes are funneled to the opening.

The wall or walls of the reservoir are directed downwardly and may be carried by the cover as in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 or may be carried by the humidifier member as in Figs. 3 and 4.

This invention is presented to fill a need for improve ments in a humidifying closure for a tobacco can or any container for which a humidifier element is desirable and in a humidifier member with a moisture impervious layer of penetratable material over the top surface thereof. It is understood that various modifications in structure, as well as changes in mode of operation, assembly and manner of use, may and often do occur to those skilled in the art, especially after benefitting from the teachings of an invention. Hence, it will be understood that this disclosure is illustrative of preferred means of embodying the invention in useful form by explaining the construction, operation and advantages thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A closure for a tobacco can and the like having a large open top comprising a cover having a rim for engaging the open top of a can and the like to close the same, the cover having an opening of substantial size, a thin moisture impervious layer marginally secured to a portion of the cover and sealing the opening against transmission of moisture through said opening, the layer being of an easily destructible penetratable material, a humidifier member received in the opening and below the layer, mounting means carried by one of the parts including the cover and the humidifier member to retain the latter in the opening, and a reservoir above at least a portion of the impervious layer formed by a downwardly directed wall and a bottom, the downwardly directed wall and bottom being carried by at least one of the parts including the cover and the moisture impervious layer.

2. A closure as in claim 1 including the impervious layer being spaced above at least a portion of the top of the humidifier member to form a second reservoir below the impervious layer.

3. A closure as in claim 1 in which the downwardly directed wall is carried by the cover.

4. A closure as in claim 1 in which the Wall and bottom of the reservoir is in the humidifier member the moisture impervious layer is on the top surface of the humidifier member and the wall and bottom of the reservoir.

5. A closure as in claim 1 in which the top surface of. the humidifier member is spaced below the cover.

6. A closure for a tobacco can and the like having a large open top comprising a cover having a rim for engaging the open top of a can and the like to close the same, the cover having an opening of substantial size therethrough, a humidifier member receive-d in the cover opening and closing the latter, a thin moisture impervious layer on the top surface of the humidifier member of easily destructible penetratable material and m0isturescaling the opening in the cover, and a Water reservoir of predetermined capacity above at least a portion of the impervious layer.

7. A closure as in claim 6 including a depression in the cover of a greater depth than the height of the humidifier member, and a flange at the bottom of the depression.

8. A closure as in claim 6 in which the rim projects upwardly, a depression in the cover of a depth corre sponding with the height of the humidifier member, and an inwardly directed flange at the bottom of the depression.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 307,230 Schuler Oct. 28, 1884 868,721 Summers Oct. 22, 1907 1,479,704 Duddleson Jan. 1, 1924 1,588,346 Dunavan et a1. June 8, 1926 2,443,139 Krause June 8, 1948 

